The 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 30), set to take place in Brazil in less than a month, faces a major challenge: uniting countries around continued efforts to combat the climate crisis despite difficulties and obstacles, foremost among them the United States’ withdrawal from the Paris Agreement.

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva insisted that the coastal city of Belém in the Amazon region be the venue for the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change from November 10 to 21, the most important annual milestone in negotiations on this issue.

So far, only a few leaders (from Colombia, South Africa, and others) have confirmed participation, while many have delayed their decisions due to current geopolitical and economic turmoil. Prince William will represent Britain’s King Charles, while the Austrian president declined to participate due to hotel prices.

This sharp rise in costs threatens the participation of NGOs and poorer countries, casting a shadow over the core of the negotiations.

Countries including Gambia, Cape Verde, and Japan told AFP they will likely reduce their delegations.

An informal ministerial meeting preceding the conference is being held in Brasília to conduct a final review of the current situation.

In early October, Lula acknowledged problems in Belém from the conference site but added, “We must show the world the reality of the Amazon.” He inspected construction progress in this city with limited infrastructure and a population of 1.4 million.

In a provocative tone, he confirmed his intention to “sleep on a boat in a hammock.”

The conference is being held amid high expectations after the world experienced the two hottest years ever, with heatwaves and storms causing casualties.

Unlike the last two sessions, which resulted in landmark agreements on fossil fuels and financing, Marta Torres-Ganfaus from the IDDRI research center urged “not to expect major headlines or agreements on big and bold issues.”

The Brazilian presidency will particularly strive to show that countries still believe in a multilateral approach despite difficulties including the US withdrawal from the Paris Agreement, trade wars, the rise of climate-skeptic parties, and more.

Lula, who is expected to run for a new presidential term next year, wants to confirm Brazil’s “return” to the international stage after hosting the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro at the end of 2024 and the BRICS summit last July. COP 30 director Anna Tonne said, “The COP conferences are not isolated events but reflect geopolitical tensions.”

Lula, who slowed deforestation in his country but supports oil exploration off the Amazon, promised what he called a “COP of truth.”

However, the divided European Union failed to reach an agreement on its new climate commitments for 2035 by the deadline, while China settled for minimum targets. The United States is not expected to send a delegation.